US leaders congratulate Lithuania on Independence Day

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US leaders congratulate Lithuania on Independence Day

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US leader have congratulated Lithuania on the occasion of the upcoming Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania on February 16. United States President Barack Obama congratulated Lithuania via Secretary of State John Kerry.

"On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Lithuania on the 97th anniversary of your independence on February 16. This year marks 25 years since Lithuanians bravely declared their independence from the Soviet Union and re-established the independent Lithuanian state that first came into existence in 1918," Kerry said in an official statement.It also said Lithuania and the US have deep bilateral ties and intertwined cultures.

"As NATO allies, we are committed to freedom, democracy, and human rights. We also share a passion for the expressions of our shared values through art and sports. The works of Jonas Mekas – the godfather of American avant-garde cinema – link our two countries. As does the historic Lithuanian men’s basketball team at the 1992 Summer Olympics, whose famous logo was designed by a New York artist," Kerry said in the statement.

The US secretary of state also said his country was proud of longstanding Lithuanian-American friendship and continued cooperation on today’s pressing challenges. "We look forward to working with you to build a future of peace, prosperity, and freedom for all people," Kerry said.